Shenandoah Valley: VDOT prepares for wintry weather

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8MlBeOvgWvp9sUbX7AcI1f9TbyrgboD4asZFw8ryYwaLHwYvVA2BzE9Q5qaY4fM5xXiiZ7CzsKQ-g9P31sMvGy4jUaZ7eYfbhbkU7wFXwkDHCa8Z2HvIWHmVsY6L2ibwcXwled-Uby8/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8MlBeOvgWvp9sUbX7AcI1f9TbyrgboD4asZFw8ryYwaLHwYvVA2BzE9Q5qaY4fM5xXiiZ7CzsKQ-g9P31sMvGy4jUaZ7eYfbhbkU7wFXwkDHCa8Z2HvIWHmVsY6L2ibwcXwled-Uby8/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Rt. 262 bypass around Staunton was being treated this morning as VDOT put down anti-freezing fluids on the roadways preparing for incoming wintry weather that could include snow, ice, and freezing rain. By this afternoon, both sides of the road had been done as well as many other main thoroughfares around Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IjOQhvU8vfTi3VBL8J__X2y_kSkNu-7HAamp_K0HSb-ag6XGAookafbOeFP7B54fw9aHykFNoTx1m_ehPjOb2p4Jh1YsGratGpWjFZUcuBhWwcMS0S_5o2nmyeSPw7zyx4wrEgzwUxs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IjOQhvU8vfTi3VBL8J__X2y_kSkNu-7HAamp_K0HSb-ag6XGAookafbOeFP7B54fw9aHykFNoTx1m_ehPjOb2p4Jh1YsGratGpWjFZUcuBhWwcMS0S_5o2nmyeSPw7zyx4wrEgzwUxs/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This VDOT worker was retrieving trash from the middle of the road. Keeping us safe ... many thanks for VDOT and the men and women who make our highways and byways safe all year round but especially during winter. It looks like they will have their hands full the next 24 hours.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />November 25, 2013

Augusta County highway safety Shenandoah Valley Staunton VDOT Virginia Department of Transportation Waynesboro western Virginia Shenandoah Valley: VDOT prepares for wintry weather

 The Rt. 262 bypass around Staunton was being treated this morning as VDOT put down anti-freezing fluids on the roadways preparing for incom...

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Spend Thanksgiving weekend 2013 in historic Staunton, Virginia

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF2CsT5ZntjeVfI2GyaJpw0EZvaTAmh2Y9sMWnAUNcov_ku8vrjc0LSev3sQ2d38NL3C6UQeNCg8Ilij19J_mJBeSHZkR90Twi-sgm3wNKvQcXk_Eef-z_Hr_vZV97wbQlP_Xz6uCEas/s1600/Thanksgiving+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF2CsT5ZntjeVfI2GyaJpw0EZvaTAmh2Y9sMWnAUNcov_ku8vrjc0LSev3sQ2d38NL3C6UQeNCg8Ilij19J_mJBeSHZkR90Twi-sgm3wNKvQcXk_Eef-z_Hr_vZV97wbQlP_Xz6uCEas/s400/Thanksgiving+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There are few places as quaint and picturesque as the city of Staunton in the central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, this community-oriented small town celebrates holidays in style, and Thanksgiving is no exception. For a fun and exciting adventure, spend the long weekend enjoying all the area has to offer. The calendar of events is packed with activities to celebrate Thanksgiving and welcome the holiday season.<br /><br /><b>Wednesday, November 27:</b><br />- Playhouse Tour, 2:00 pm, Blackfriars Playhouse<br />- Trivia, 7:00 pm, Zabbs Beach Day Cafe<br />- "She Stoops to Conquer," 7:30 pm, Blackfriars Playhouse<br />- Live jazz, 7:30 pm, Mill Street Grill<br />- The Level, 8:00 pm, Clocktower Restaurant<br />- Brent Hull & Joe Tyree, 9:00 pm, Byers Street Bistro <br /><br /><b>Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 28:</b><br />Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal at one of the local restaurants that will be open:<br />- <a href="http://www.kathys-restaurant.com/thanksgiving-buffet/">Kathy's Restaurant</a>, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm, reservations available<br />- <a href="http://www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com/media/docs/ChristmasCalendar2013.pdf">Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center</a>, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm<br />- Rowe's Restaurant<br />- <a href="http://www.crackerbarrel.com/restaurant/thanksgiving#OpenForThanksgiving">Cracker Barrel</a>, 6:00 am - 10:00 pm<br /><br /><b>Friday, November 29:</b><br /><b>Black Friday"</b> offers the opportunity to check out the local stores and shops of downtown Staunton and the surrounding vicinity. From unique gift items, jewelry, clothing, handmade chocolates, and domestic goods in Staunton to the shopping availabilities of Waynesboro's Target, Books-a-Million, and Kohl's, there's plenty to keep everyone happy. Check out local restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as unique coffee shops throughout town.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.gvbookfair.com/">Green Valley Book Fair</a></b> will open Friday, November 29, for its last two-week run of 2013. Open daily, this Mt. Crawford book retailer is known far and wide for its deeply discounted deals on books, audio tapes, and more. It's a great spot to pick up gifts for everyone from children to grandparents. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/"><b>The Frontier Culture Museum's gift shop</b></a> offers imported items from Ireland, Scotland, and Great Britain as well as America -- nutcrackers, Christmas ornaments, glassware, historical and cook books, and other just-right gift items for that special person. Don't forget the Museum's famous fudge that comes in a variety of flavors and is always a favorite with visitors.<br /><br />Staunton's world-known <b><a href="http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com/">American Shakespeare Theater</a></b> kicks off the holiday season on  Friday, November 29, with a variety of offerings<i></i> in the authentically recreated Blackfriars Playhouse as well as tours of the theater. The playhouse can be found on Market Street beside the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.oxeyevineyards.com/our-tasting-room/"><b>Ox-Eye Vineyard's tasting room</b></a> is located in a renovated 1910 building in the historic Wharf District of downtown Staunton which offers an inviting location to taste this local wines crafted by Susan and John Kiers.<br /><br />The <b><a href="http://www.stauntondowntown.org/">Staunton Christmas Parade</a> </b>will add a magical touch on Monday, December 2 (always the first Monday after Thanksgiving). The route will begin at Frederick and Augusta Streets, turn down Market Street, and then turn right onto Beverley Street. Thousands of tiny white twinkly lights, Christmas decorations, and inviting window displays will entice visitors to step into shops and dine in restaurants before and after the parade. Bundle up for a fun evening in the brisk December air, followed up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Meeting friends downtown is a must for this annual tradition.<br /><br />Be sure to check the <a href="http://www.visitstaunton.com/stauntonontap.htm">Visit Staunton</a> website for more activities as well as lodging and dining opportunities. Come to the Shenandoah Valley for Thanksgiving and stick around to kick off your holiday season.

Appalachian Mountains Blue Ridge Mountains Central Shenandoah Valley Christmas Historic Downtown Staunton Lynn R. Mitchell Thanksgiving western Virginia Spend Thanksgiving weekend 2013 in historic Staunton, Virginia

There are few places as quaint and picturesque as the city of Staunton in the central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Surrounded by the Blue ...

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Grayson County Fraser firs decorate Busch Gardens Christmas Town, grace Vice President Biden's home

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByRLVnoUpr62zZix_Vncw1feYbzGDWJ_dOiSLwin0T-usG7GN73fOBiLI7jBS0gKycQG20gOICe-8wwD95i4Z08DqJMZR60dBTVOabrYq-zJShlOWNABNqPkEVjLgznIQjtG_o7pt2g4/s1600/Mount+Rogers+Christmas+Tree+Association.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByRLVnoUpr62zZix_Vncw1feYbzGDWJ_dOiSLwin0T-usG7GN73fOBiLI7jBS0gKycQG20gOICe-8wwD95i4Z08DqJMZR60dBTVOabrYq-zJShlOWNABNqPkEVjLgznIQjtG_o7pt2g4/s320/Mount+Rogers+Christmas+Tree+Association.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I'm a little prejudiced about Grayson County since it's where my grandparents grew up and where lots of relatives still live but I think the Fraser firs grown in that part of Virginia are the most gorgeous Christmas trees around. Where once cows grazed in rocky meadows on mountain slopes, now rows and rows of Frasers grow in the cool temperatures of this southwestern area of the Commonwealth.<br /><br />Journalist Bill Lohmann has taken a look at Grayson's Fraser fir Christmas tree industry in today's <a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/holiday/christmas-trees-are-gift-to-va-s-grayson-county/article_a2922a46-ac6c-592f-87d6-e4592ecb4d1f.html"><i>Richmond Times-Dispatch</i></a>, a business that took root in the 1970s and has grown into an economic boom:<br /><blockquote>The steep and rocky mountains of Grayson County are some of the tallest, most spectacular in Virginia, wonderful for hiking and sightseeing but less than ideal for farming — unless you are growing Christmas trees.</blockquote>One whiff of a Fraser and you'll be hooked.<br /><br />Mr. Lohmann talked with one of the pioneers of <a href="http://www.mtrogersfraserfir.org/">Fraser farming in Grayson</a>, Rodney Richardson, owner of <a href="http://www.mtrogersfraserfir.org/tfchoosecut.html">Mount Rogers Christmas Tree Farm</a>, who has some well-known clients. This year he sent several hundred trees to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for their <a href="http://seaworldparks.com/en/christmastown-williamsburg?from=portal&__utma=1.343876508.1383166447.1383171243.1385300644.3&__utmb=1.2.10.1385300644&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1385300644.3.2.utmcsr=google|utmccn=%28organic%29|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=109009154">Christmas Town display</a>, and another tree is going to Vice President Joe Biden's residence.<br /><br />Good article. I could almost smell the heavenly scent of Frasier firs while reading it....

Bill Lohmann Busch Gardens Christmas Town fraser fir growers Grayson County Joe Biden Mount Rogers Area Christmas Tree Growers Association Richmond Times-Dispatch Rodney Richardson western Virginia Grayson County Fraser firs decorate Busch Gardens Christmas Town, grace Vice President Biden's home

I'm a little prejudiced about Grayson County since it's where my grandparents grew up and where lots of relatives still live but I t...

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'Tis the season for Christmas tree farms

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNFjjeWNepEBYdwa4QPnr85L5TayNg1BPsOKfQmLNUbtPcB9QDNfBnYzsKd5cJWkIFzsKL-u9ZS3frNDiPOjOG_6M8nphw5N-2IbgdhWbTmu6EmSuX78hNfv0qQxhRAr2rrxpd_uaRD-L/s1600/Christmas+tree+McDonnell+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNFjjeWNepEBYdwa4QPnr85L5TayNg1BPsOKfQmLNUbtPcB9QDNfBnYzsKd5cJWkIFzsKL-u9ZS3frNDiPOjOG_6M8nphw5N-2IbgdhWbTmu6EmSuX78hNfv0qQxhRAr2rrxpd_uaRD-L/s400/Christmas+tree+McDonnell+2.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Linda Jones and Joe Freeman of Mistletoe Meadows Tree Farm deliver Christmas tree to Virginia Executive Mansion in 2010. With First Lady Maureen McDonnell.</i></div><br />So you may not be ready to pick out a <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/christmas-tree-season-comes-early-this-year/article_0b606dde-4fe1-11e3-a267-0019bb30f31a.html" target="_blank">Christmas tree</a> today but it's not too late to be thinking about this year's purchase. After all, there's only <a href="http://www.xmasclock.com/" target="_blank">35 days until Christmas as the countdown clock shows</a>. <br /><br />Here's a list of Virginia Christmas tree retailers: <a href="http://vagrown.va-vdacs.com/Default.aspx?category=CHRISTMAS%20TREES" target="_blank">Virginia Grown Christmas Trees</a>.<br /><br />Here's a list of Christmas tree farms in the Staunton area: <a href="http://vagrown.va-vdacs.com/Default.aspx?category=CHRISTMAS+TREES" target="_blank">Staunton Christmas Tree Farms</a>.<br /><br />Gather the family and have fun! 'Tis the season....

Blue Ridge Mountains Christmas in Shenandoah Valley Christmas tree farms Joe Freeman Linda Jones Maureen McDonnell Mistletoe Meadows Tree Farm Staunton Virginia Grown Christmas Trees western Virginia 'Tis the season for Christmas tree farms

Linda Jones and Joe Freeman of Mistletoe Meadows Tree Farm deliver Christmas tree to Virginia Executive Mansion in 2010. With First Lady Mau...

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Sparkles & Sweets to kick off holiday season in downtown Staunton Friday

<div id="fbProfileCover"><br /><div class="cover" id="u_jsonp_6_0"><a class="coverWrap coverImage" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151964913007490&set=oa.210893825757822&type=1" id="fbCoverImageContainer" rel="theater" title="Cover Photo"><img alt="Cover Photo" class="coverPhotoImg photo img" data-fbid="10151964913007490" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1379398_10151964913007490_1874722313_n.jpg" style="top: 0px; width: 100%;" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.stauntondowntown.org/sparkles-and-sweets-2013/">Kick off the holiday season</a> this Friday in historic downtown Staunton with the annual <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/655077637865729/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular&source=1">Sparkles & Sweets</a> event featuring businesses, restaurants, holiday lights, special events, and much more. Meet friends for dinner and enjoy some sparkles and sweets from 6-9:00 p.m.<br /><br />Downtown Staunton ... there's something for everyone.

Historic Downtown Staunton Lynn R. Mitchell Shenandoah Valley western Virginia Sparkles & Sweets to kick off holiday season in downtown Staunton Friday

Kick off the holiday season this Friday in historic downtown Staunton with the annual Sparkles & Sweets event featuring businesses, re...

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Shutterbug: He is my son

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtjUHlcDDthl_4ee-_hKhwxNwCkwL-spwsunZYFg_KQaXqGizGJYF2Lm1hBmzc2dmBFv_Kt_IF-Ss0pNRF07UyFjAsMvmvSswi4ONecUSpUkrnNvvrWKk7cBxAA0PUqGAnZHq4My0hZKb/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtjUHlcDDthl_4ee-_hKhwxNwCkwL-spwsunZYFg_KQaXqGizGJYF2Lm1hBmzc2dmBFv_Kt_IF-Ss0pNRF07UyFjAsMvmvSswi4ONecUSpUkrnNvvrWKk7cBxAA0PUqGAnZHq4My0hZKb/s400/27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">SWAC Son and I were on a mission Sunday. With our Nikon cameras in hand, we headed out looking for photo moments along the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and up to the edges of Shenandoah National Park. He is like his mom ... he enjoys capturing pictures that showcase his window on the world ... and so we found autumn leaves, mountains, horses, battlefields, cemeteries, and other interesting sights that highlighted that October afternoon in western Virginia. Above he captures Grace United Methodist Church at <a href="http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/The-History/The-Battles/Battle-of-Port-Republic">The Coaling</a> near Port Republic in eastern Rockingham County.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnP_YrKCQGA8eIGsC6zJw8Qha4Cgky-9JPghilVoPK5r6l4yKayEJiLUBRmbovhyFIzlcbeTTZOUrSKJFIObP7wtL5OPSBU1nsbj3gbea_Y_0s7As4EZD7xHPPvGUPnNam8OKDbCuBodQ/s1600/28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnP_YrKCQGA8eIGsC6zJw8Qha4Cgky-9JPghilVoPK5r6l4yKayEJiLUBRmbovhyFIzlcbeTTZOUrSKJFIObP7wtL5OPSBU1nsbj3gbea_Y_0s7As4EZD7xHPPvGUPnNam8OKDbCuBodQ/s400/28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the <a href="http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/The-History/The-Battles/Battle-of-Port-Republic">Battle of Port Republic</a> Battlefield.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EB5capdYyPiQ_f-Kuom4puc_t04V6MbrD80Bw77RSv4a1aInmp4ah6WByJxBAaeT2aI_v3NjBTcXKF21JWBtGtxY2AZnod3oWCycUKxSK2ve5UXM9_355s4xD8ydJOf0G6HrfYVcbbyy/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EB5capdYyPiQ_f-Kuom4puc_t04V6MbrD80Bw77RSv4a1aInmp4ah6WByJxBAaeT2aI_v3NjBTcXKF21JWBtGtxY2AZnod3oWCycUKxSK2ve5UXM9_355s4xD8ydJOf0G6HrfYVcbbyy/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blue Ridge Mountains at the edge of western boundary of Shenandoah National Park.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 27, 2013

Battle of Port Republic Grace United Methodist Church Rockingham County The Coaling tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia Shutterbug: He is my son

SWAC Son and I were on a mission Sunday. With our Nikon cameras in hand, we headed out looking for photo moments along the foot of the Blue ...

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Autumn at western Virginia's Douthat State Park

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGjH1LR_7NpkMbi_af_O_43l3I2UWgi_DKwDjEjhi_PuqFnbwdgi-RyTSEypRxO04OL7GZfrCShEYCDyzzAocQKVYCuWLaRgzUsVJVX04-_Fr7TA4KcO5QRAUN7VomY1wFRrA8SCJz1sn/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGjH1LR_7NpkMbi_af_O_43l3I2UWgi_DKwDjEjhi_PuqFnbwdgi-RyTSEypRxO04OL7GZfrCShEYCDyzzAocQKVYCuWLaRgzUsVJVX04-_Fr7TA4KcO5QRAUN7VomY1wFRrA8SCJz1sn/s640/32.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/dou.shtml">Douthat State Park</a> is located in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia. The park has 4,546 acres in Bath and Alleghany counties and includes a 50-acre lake. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="fl q kno-desca-lnk" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douthat_State_Park"><span class="kno-desca"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50thbdDPgK4JRuoC8O5OaPaJQzBwYowfBgU4Gy5Sx5gMKC-IOSZWDf1mT8DUJaerYZAd4qPWa0QFuVAnemw6AkkLqTqOwvnxQFMeQMkrdvk9uTSdrtgI8nRLHFX0aysfXbuWW9RVcp615/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50thbdDPgK4JRuoC8O5OaPaJQzBwYowfBgU4Gy5Sx5gMKC-IOSZWDf1mT8DUJaerYZAd4qPWa0QFuVAnemw6AkkLqTqOwvnxQFMeQMkrdvk9uTSdrtgI8nRLHFX0aysfXbuWW9RVcp615/s400/29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A traditional family park for 75 years, Douthat is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the role its design played in the development of parks nationwide. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rgy1w6PR-VIHSJcHJ2B7DMmECyoQ8RIn320DPOuntGHlt768k8AuWCwLTjPCVRjWkxnjXBxJJ_0BVi5qZYdv84XNpkj0WWpXquG6BGqinZ6P-DyafTJJzV38GLbjGuuZYxrX_Gmu20cl/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rgy1w6PR-VIHSJcHJ2B7DMmECyoQ8RIn320DPOuntGHlt768k8AuWCwLTjPCVRjWkxnjXBxJJ_0BVi5qZYdv84XNpkj0WWpXquG6BGqinZ6P-DyafTJJzV38GLbjGuuZYxrX_Gmu20cl/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amid some of Virginia's most breathtaking mountain scenery, visitors enjoy interpretive programs, two miles of stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, a sandy swimming beach with snack bar, boat rentals, a gift shop and camp store, cabins, and more than 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnepvcReX3DpJOSSIMyazaCwj2yuBCxN0qptA2vbOP4XQv6zXhk3caCz8z5j1h2YQJN_bHm5rJIBRRtEfNn1hQN_yfg41Ddg-Mtis8R0PkgJEcQD-6LntuKDs1SW0KncBcSyrqqfPFew4/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnepvcReX3DpJOSSIMyazaCwj2yuBCxN0qptA2vbOP4XQv6zXhk3caCz8z5j1h2YQJN_bHm5rJIBRRtEfNn1hQN_yfg41Ddg-Mtis8R0PkgJEcQD-6LntuKDs1SW0KncBcSyrqqfPFew4/s400/31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plus, there are playgrounds, an amphitheater, picnic areas, tent and trailer camping, and a restaurant overlooking the lake. The park also has 32 cabins and three lodges that accommodate 15, 16 and 18 guests each.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBYeCwzg6P2fKgyCb_Knvo4x4NsBZY5zOm9gui5-m9qSpX9mz9RgvzdqrogZJBEwVYFC5I5epdcUK4_O7HXLZCinRtQLoEZxJ5IjoeKNyXGUn0foOlJTQIqdvFu78FE1v10ISY0t1xNs_/s1600/33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBYeCwzg6P2fKgyCb_Knvo4x4NsBZY5zOm9gui5-m9qSpX9mz9RgvzdqrogZJBEwVYFC5I5epdcUK4_O7HXLZCinRtQLoEZxJ5IjoeKNyXGUn0foOlJTQIqdvFu78FE1v10ISY0t1xNs_/s400/33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMLdLdWXKPWjcM6COvZmmFQezkjhUC2gNussa9jMwoe102-y5SJ-VRzXSNtTigpnHW5iaWX3esPj7ixH12kHkseAJKpwaGm5jnxhOz_VcAc_S_VPl7eZ26w0YgJMELD65-0khxNS2zqd_/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMLdLdWXKPWjcM6COvZmmFQezkjhUC2gNussa9jMwoe102-y5SJ-VRzXSNtTigpnHW5iaWX3esPj7ixH12kHkseAJKpwaGm5jnxhOz_VcAc_S_VPl7eZ26w0YgJMELD65-0khxNS2zqd_/s400/34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFDZP4AaF3KUKt5uPyYtAF3EggAMJuAL8aVaOYLivMAWvSCbdENAPEwlctIipxZMVvUdm-HJA06i4lDxqQWcXcqWqdacRFUMfBmk76vRCh7KsUxfIiWrtwvXBq6NvsF7Rcy72n4NxShBP/s1600/54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFDZP4AaF3KUKt5uPyYtAF3EggAMJuAL8aVaOYLivMAWvSCbdENAPEwlctIipxZMVvUdm-HJA06i4lDxqQWcXcqWqdacRFUMfBmk76vRCh7KsUxfIiWrtwvXBq6NvsF7Rcy72n4NxShBP/s400/54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq9tVgxLkPCudHyb0lIa80vMHSMreZjoRqQYMETHsEdn_VkZVeBQPmj3JGbQ_mJoFxJG7WU5duUYtQGlxKAK02t7awAC-APSKRYIs1Xc6Zt4-DOnOGeUAg7Hphj08WO3oq-rJOLHaUK7H/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Mitchell<br />October 24, 2013

Alleghany County Bath County Douthat State Park Lynn R. Mitchell tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia Autumn at western Virginia's Douthat State Park

Douthat State Park is located in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia. The park has 4,546 acres in Bath and Alleghany counties and ...

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October afternoon drive on the back roads of Augusta County

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsKkoEX0sucNEehyAnEcayONaXhk6Ae9HtJnvKgrGIYztusX3MkNV01_U9SYAc_57qDigv4hQts_qw1ogEz8kOBBpFOSD44PU2mYUCY4ai_7nMa7YlspccQVxCg6CXis4vvvfmvxWprBc/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsKkoEX0sucNEehyAnEcayONaXhk6Ae9HtJnvKgrGIYztusX3MkNV01_U9SYAc_57qDigv4hQts_qw1ogEz8kOBBpFOSD44PU2mYUCY4ai_7nMa7YlspccQVxCg6CXis4vvvfmvxWprBc/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The blustery breezes, cool temps, and fresh mountain air called to me this afternoon as I headed toward western Augusta County and the fog-shrouded mountains. Sunshine was breaking through the clouds that had brought early-morning, much needed, rain. The air that had been hazy the past week or so because of temperatures in the upper 80s was clear and mountain ridges were sharply defined against the sky. The farm above is nearby ... the leaves are just beginning to turn.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLp2Cuybk73sPLMkB-nbmXsahbzXbxjuC67-w6jicXj7xYAXNrxWqEGWw2TnzTK6IroloeTMSwLtqbQgnqkp_ZPXqfO-nXDTrC0oc4ZROk_DW-P-Ast97geEylCiu5uxT4nyD_KhrprsV/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLp2Cuybk73sPLMkB-nbmXsahbzXbxjuC67-w6jicXj7xYAXNrxWqEGWw2TnzTK6IroloeTMSwLtqbQgnqkp_ZPXqfO-nXDTrC0oc4ZROk_DW-P-Ast97geEylCiu5uxT4nyD_KhrprsV/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not far from the farm, I stopped and look toward the Appalachian Mountains at Elliott's Knob.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ub9AGTeaWdR6ZvQeWI0KbYb0ehVlkIOzkz1dMFXL2HGwIuNSQDnJbv8XQDrAUiaD_5fiQeCvc29RpcNLgQg3z-9TVWjFBkD5BjxkLcRPVAUMh-uGFwM26asORDWOwvvU6M2reK4lJcYY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ub9AGTeaWdR6ZvQeWI0KbYb0ehVlkIOzkz1dMFXL2HGwIuNSQDnJbv8XQDrAUiaD_5fiQeCvc29RpcNLgQg3z-9TVWjFBkD5BjxkLcRPVAUMh-uGFwM26asORDWOwvvU6M2reK4lJcYY/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ1R5XotqhCfKcWAAMNnaCVWFOdl7VSV38I8UddYr1mueAH6K0OX5mo8VGMkML6-yt1DHg09zsqzgH4IVKc3c_ikwHt7C1i_iN6P-bR5zyDCdR6tYIrMDLmV6suZ5trOrisiCzICbGcrO/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ1R5XotqhCfKcWAAMNnaCVWFOdl7VSV38I8UddYr1mueAH6K0OX5mo8VGMkML6-yt1DHg09zsqzgH4IVKc3c_ikwHt7C1i_iN6P-bR5zyDCdR6tYIrMDLmV6suZ5trOrisiCzICbGcrO/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This forest road located in the George Washington National Forest at Buffalo Gap is always pretty in the fall as the leaves cover the gravel road leading to a favorite hiking trail.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoqJCXFXDraJ6EbbPVynf5zd9oUJ9hBRs3BRbTYxYy5GpPqq3kXa4CPPqfNA9H4Z5lFsl9oBGoDHqxdijD8GLZEC5_PEyOr2DumJgGNoKCqi3gMo3KQBCIoOYWpvGum6NgTy5ZHGtoyaL/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoqJCXFXDraJ6EbbPVynf5zd9oUJ9hBRs3BRbTYxYy5GpPqq3kXa4CPPqfNA9H4Z5lFsl9oBGoDHqxdijD8GLZEC5_PEyOr2DumJgGNoKCqi3gMo3KQBCIoOYWpvGum6NgTy5ZHGtoyaL/s640/6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Augusta Springs Wetlands in western Augusta County is a popular birding area with hiking trails and a woodlands pond at the site of the old turn-of-the-century Augusta Springs Hotel that burned 100 years ago.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fun in all seasons, today's visit was full of the aroma of fallen leaves as the wind showered me with more and I shuffled through the ones on the ground. It was a reminder of a warm day six years ago when my sister and then-11-year-old niece and I stopped by for a summer adventure, <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2007/08/augusta-springs-wetlands-tour.html">following the trail</a> and boardwalk markers, something I had done with my own children when they were young. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2007/08/back-roads-of-shenandoah-valley-augusta.html">Through the eyes of my niece</a>, Augusta Springs makes us all children again in this tiny corner of the George Washington National Forest.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02AWBUBMROMfl4Arn-mS6jn0_PMeXSFQxP4xB2Uvd2REL3m0xI3R4207lwNGdA7RZ0U-RC1Wf1wmepAt9O0_3dD6Q5IW1gioePtVIMqacKnwjsIupfIPPVjzgSu-w9_rGvMFpdkiwtyff/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02AWBUBMROMfl4Arn-mS6jn0_PMeXSFQxP4xB2Uvd2REL3m0xI3R4207lwNGdA7RZ0U-RC1Wf1wmepAt9O0_3dD6Q5IW1gioePtVIMqacKnwjsIupfIPPVjzgSu-w9_rGvMFpdkiwtyff/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Queen Anne's Lace lined the roadsides.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2WMxFZjYlPmX65QZwz2TyRiWNSMGPjVmEFs74TDS5OMNkdBs9RxshMpCD1usAZs96F_0LVWvwt2wJbpK1i0TuFmCQ1JnQX1RsILGD1xuOQ4Ymvb611dKFIQRqtk2MfkVF40AvwQf-TIU/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2WMxFZjYlPmX65QZwz2TyRiWNSMGPjVmEFs74TDS5OMNkdBs9RxshMpCD1usAZs96F_0LVWvwt2wJbpK1i0TuFmCQ1JnQX1RsILGD1xuOQ4Ymvb611dKFIQRqtk2MfkVF40AvwQf-TIU/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another nearby farm in the shadow of Elliott's Knob.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1f0X4NIHFHtTosJSVRIidPT-j9z57NDcYxn0qZib8jtOCOnlb5TDZ_lvKKqIITIMk-7A4nNqOeVUHTQ7Cggh1zkIXtfBwe4oHyd-UrxMkTb_7Ak11WcpW0VoRHoZKIm6akj4qDoyl-5s/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1f0X4NIHFHtTosJSVRIidPT-j9z57NDcYxn0qZib8jtOCOnlb5TDZ_lvKKqIITIMk-7A4nNqOeVUHTQ7Cggh1zkIXtfBwe4oHyd-UrxMkTb_7Ak11WcpW0VoRHoZKIm6akj4qDoyl-5s/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Looking toward the Appalachians, a neighbor's scarlet burning bush is a reminder that fall is here. <br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 7, 2013

Appalachian Mountains Augusta County Augusta Springs Wetlands tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia October afternoon drive on the back roads of Augusta County

The blustery breezes, cool temps, and fresh mountain air called to me this afternoon as I headed toward western Augusta County and the fog-s...

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October Appalachian views ... Augusta County, Virginia

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHaE7k-lbKtMT8qoeASd92qTu4RGFfc-uUXeLWvHlzQUv8IqPWQLZV1e2bY85t0f-xdslXO0HOjrzE8GR7UAfvmQsY635_AYZr82BbRX1LYYgCWTn_PB8cq0nCRwT8Eo3j30kD6p0zd-3/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHaE7k-lbKtMT8qoeASd92qTu4RGFfc-uUXeLWvHlzQUv8IqPWQLZV1e2bY85t0f-xdslXO0HOjrzE8GR7UAfvmQsY635_AYZr82BbRX1LYYgCWTn_PB8cq0nCRwT8Eo3j30kD6p0zd-3/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W6WKU_epfwcSsFXxcIqhzrMd8YiDV7nuCKdlmcNduojcmKC93m7TUT7C-J0zmWjS2yNVb3XUiubyncrzBn-fP_-YT-riFWhgg_IgoNcBCWa5rx6aCLAVC_QHNDLkuFfd8PzCDOg6W0Vb/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W6WKU_epfwcSsFXxcIqhzrMd8YiDV7nuCKdlmcNduojcmKC93m7TUT7C-J0zmWjS2yNVb3XUiubyncrzBn-fP_-YT-riFWhgg_IgoNcBCWa5rx6aCLAVC_QHNDLkuFfd8PzCDOg6W0Vb/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 7, 2013

Appalachian Mountains Augusta County October Shenandoah Valley tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia October Appalachian views ... Augusta County, Virginia

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell October 7, 2013

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Virginia's George Washington National Forest in early October

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAuQFJZED6Jgrh0DMAF3I3fhuWqnfk7TwNfxgymZxX6pTqYMjFkLVMKifaD3LY3eAS1Y92Xy4RkiwBtk57tcoVeS_daZiz7N6zaO_ZBQ1Y6i3PUgRTnqvW3MLjVL-NFi0olDIRac-Btvk/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAuQFJZED6Jgrh0DMAF3I3fhuWqnfk7TwNfxgymZxX6pTqYMjFkLVMKifaD3LY3eAS1Y92Xy4RkiwBtk57tcoVeS_daZiz7N6zaO_ZBQ1Y6i3PUgRTnqvW3MLjVL-NFi0olDIRac-Btvk/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />October 7, 2013

Augusta County fall leaves George Washington National Forest October tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia Virginia's George Washington National Forest in early October

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell October 7, 2013

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Blue Ridge Parkway: Lunch at Peaks of Otter

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZqZzZQIh21xowW1GzA7AN8Em0pMmMVodW_47AMGDJdYeGCq0IKcFUIfW5jR9KK_PeBRKE2kHAHGHYkgNnJvEnwVt0B0uqFnsceS85geP6YftETfzkSUlXwaIKiEBOw8aAbVfikXj0xoo/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZqZzZQIh21xowW1GzA7AN8Em0pMmMVodW_47AMGDJdYeGCq0IKcFUIfW5jR9KK_PeBRKE2kHAHGHYkgNnJvEnwVt0B0uqFnsceS85geP6YftETfzkSUlXwaIKiEBOw8aAbVfikXj0xoo/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.peaksofotter.com/">Peaks of Otter</a> at MP 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can get <a href="http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/sero/appalachian/sec3.htm">lost in the history</a> of this scenic area of Virginia. The dining room is nice place to meet friends and enjoy the beauty outside the ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking Sharp Top and the lake.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7nTlaelTB2Gtn5JjJKkHNYJ-fQul3OTouTBTvi__HbjBfMGM2MbWOUAkPKpaCb4jvc5pAYmlX5CNFXl8K-KX3lo395I895O0kM4jNYOo8ScnBhLQPUKdVBBQyyYckQl73kQkQoy0QLZv/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7nTlaelTB2Gtn5JjJKkHNYJ-fQul3OTouTBTvi__HbjBfMGM2MbWOUAkPKpaCb4jvc5pAYmlX5CNFXl8K-KX3lo395I895O0kM4jNYOo8ScnBhLQPUKdVBBQyyYckQl73kQkQoy0QLZv/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I tried the Peaks Quesadilla with cheddar jack cheese, onions, peppers, cilantro, and served with fresh salsa ... one of the best I've had.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCXa8WeWyff-uZlkwIume16eBeDzuEOu7cOnyZtW2QvJVJ-v4lKE3aOYpIshqdCSZLa2SnZ2u1DaYXTncxGlttaeWkpNkPc7TioKZ2RlrZH5sIimIUqzSS03Zn1ti8GbDgMSMsjx8gVOC/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCXa8WeWyff-uZlkwIume16eBeDzuEOu7cOnyZtW2QvJVJ-v4lKE3aOYpIshqdCSZLa2SnZ2u1DaYXTncxGlttaeWkpNkPc7TioKZ2RlrZH5sIimIUqzSS03Zn1ti8GbDgMSMsjx8gVOC/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Classic BLT on toasted white bread with steak fries.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_S_SzW1hvgMcL7ZTikAS3Cj5YSSwo4rsiI6p4hRSlGJwOb9pINzCWai6JtaHR_A9MjSw06kp0UQM3bfvQhDMqoVyOZ4j5xjpMb-HtvvHGLOFvhPrlgSHzvF3gsGWRBUQnigAQ18ri-o4d/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_S_SzW1hvgMcL7ZTikAS3Cj5YSSwo4rsiI6p4hRSlGJwOb9pINzCWai6JtaHR_A9MjSw06kp0UQM3bfvQhDMqoVyOZ4j5xjpMb-HtvvHGLOFvhPrlgSHzvF3gsGWRBUQnigAQ18ri-o4d/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The meal was very reasonable. The view of Sharp Top was priceless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br /><br />

Bedford Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway Peaks of Otter tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia Blue Ridge Parkway: Lunch at Peaks of Otter

  Peaks of Otter at MP 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can get lost in the history of this scenic area of Virginia. The dining room is n...

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Happy First Anniversary, Katy and Colin!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV9LSQM8pf0zL6YvASRwlVj9W-gzKFeIBbvW46JCGlAlLo0zdcCufH8kfRleH_MJqhEz2Xc3nse3g9xvgN4QLluQlWoi-UO4mHaBSu07wp0oQ8CVefAnVPVODk-495BPDBgpbHnfAb7CF/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV9LSQM8pf0zL6YvASRwlVj9W-gzKFeIBbvW46JCGlAlLo0zdcCufH8kfRleH_MJqhEz2Xc3nse3g9xvgN4QLluQlWoi-UO4mHaBSu07wp0oQ8CVefAnVPVODk-495BPDBgpbHnfAb7CF/s640/9.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">House Mountain Inn located in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia</div><div style="text-align: center;">September 15, 2012</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6dirBG6m3Ko4aP6SCLuQfaDb-lyYWKiat_aKGR40sgjTVmkesURNWjfnfUsgWGO-ltC8fBCslrZr_VaAATMT42T_TbY68LhiHFG6gFllUq1G0IHH_fqEe81LhPYLi5GphONWddyjsnvV/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6dirBG6m3Ko4aP6SCLuQfaDb-lyYWKiat_aKGR40sgjTVmkesURNWjfnfUsgWGO-ltC8fBCslrZr_VaAATMT42T_TbY68LhiHFG6gFllUq1G0IHH_fqEe81LhPYLi5GphONWddyjsnvV/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1v84WKC6Pg"><b>The Wedding Song</b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>by Paul Stookey</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts<br />Rest assured this troubador is acting on His part.<br />The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain<br />For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name<br />There is Love. There is Love.<br /><br />Well a man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home<br />And they shall travel on to where the two shall be as one.<br />As it was in the beginning is now and until the end<br />Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again.<br />And there is Love. There is Love.<br /><br />Well then what's to be the reason for becoming man and wife?<br />Is it Love that brings you here or Love that brings you life?<br />Or if loving is the answer, then who's the giving for?<br />Do you believe in something that you've never seen before?<br />Oh there's Love, there is Love.<br /><br />Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused Him to remain<br />For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name<br />There is Love. Oh there's Love.</div>

Appalachian Mountains family House Mountain Inn Lexington weddings western Virginia Happy First Anniversary, Katy and Colin!

House Mountain Inn located in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia September 15, 2012 The Wedding Song by Paul Stookey He is now to be amon...

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Elusive mountain lion sightings continue in Valley

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUcHqfzbAwkmrVy2FHKKRYM-Gw26UIewXH419ZGmGdkJheZzkfEqCZqFlKQzw7fs59vWxXCSFN6xx2DwzIjLq2i5sbWZpU-_mhyphenhyphen46wyaTRthdccKqmFYL4cznb3ncidBB4-lX945ODTj7/s1600/Mountain+lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUcHqfzbAwkmrVy2FHKKRYM-Gw26UIewXH419ZGmGdkJheZzkfEqCZqFlKQzw7fs59vWxXCSFN6xx2DwzIjLq2i5sbWZpU-_mhyphenhyphen46wyaTRthdccKqmFYL4cznb3ncidBB4-lX945ODTj7/s1600/Mountain+lion.jpg" /></a></div><br />When my husband and I bought our house west of Staunton in 1997, one of the first things the homeowner told us was about seeing a mountain lion crossing our quiet street. According to him, the mountain lion had reportedly killed a calf in the field beside the house. Nothing, however, came of it. Throughout the years, various Valley residents have reported sightings of the elusive creature but, according to Friday's <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050026/Have-you-seen-Valley"><i>News Leader</i></a>, there has never been positive evidence of mountain lions in the area: <br /><blockquote>Lee Walker, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said they get calls on a regular basis on mountain lion sightings, but have never been able to substantiate any as true sightings.<br />...<br />The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has cited the mountain lion, or puma, to be an endangered or threatened animal in Virginia since 1979.<br /><br />Since 1970, scores of mountain lion sightings have been reported without a single one being confirmed, the department reports. Most occur in Shenandoah National Park and in Bedford, Amherst and Nelson counties. Others have been clustered in the Valley.</blockquote>Read more about this curiously interesting cat <a href="http://www.newsleader.com/article/20130905/NEWS01/309050026/Have-you-seen-Valley">here</a>.

Augusta County mountain lions puma Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah Valley Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries western Virginia Elusive mountain lion sightings continue in Valley

When my husband and I bought our house west of Staunton in 1997, one of the first things the homeowner told us was about seeing a mountain l...

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Giant sunflowers welcome summer to the garden

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLJe4JUZ7XlN5pThsEJ_-K-G136IhtovnB_Z4lkSN_lH2fSaIXT-ID3o4tlK9YAxFZ5zbW8SdNSVzAP_dLjPpcGMen3zHZm-u22z-SxScV3NiUAc8RV4vXbin_fbGD3yLK-9VyUSxtC-d/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLJe4JUZ7XlN5pThsEJ_-K-G136IhtovnB_Z4lkSN_lH2fSaIXT-ID3o4tlK9YAxFZ5zbW8SdNSVzAP_dLjPpcGMen3zHZm-u22z-SxScV3NiUAc8RV4vXbin_fbGD3yLK-9VyUSxtC-d/s640/9.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">SWAC Husband is not quite 6' tall and standing amongst the tomato plants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrvbcpM5NkRbQfsXEdTVxn7yNcco-G7KAR1Jlp6lf0pF6jPRTiKeMCWg8vyHyuN0Cl-09SHL45xBTdr8QXPspW0yt2Iox0Rj-LHtDjIHL0bL2ZSe8cIK7feKAyUue927jgi8YY8suIRUt/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrvbcpM5NkRbQfsXEdTVxn7yNcco-G7KAR1Jlp6lf0pF6jPRTiKeMCWg8vyHyuN0Cl-09SHL45xBTdr8QXPspW0yt2Iox0Rj-LHtDjIHL0bL2ZSe8cIK7feKAyUue927jgi8YY8suIRUt/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The moon was high overhead when the photo was taken at 9:00 this morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9mir6JUBe2wkWkYmn4Sb6_3am4PRRPBrK1AmrKtT_f2IHA6efqYPnDO_QPrV4thpPpaVpngj965BGs5uOjVSuJdbiVTWG8e9kufBw6yfuiOjsRl1W49ZgYpk9-BJJafpQvs2tXgQqbo7/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9mir6JUBe2wkWkYmn4Sb6_3am4PRRPBrK1AmrKtT_f2IHA6efqYPnDO_QPrV4thpPpaVpngj965BGs5uOjVSuJdbiVTWG8e9kufBw6yfuiOjsRl1W49ZgYpk9-BJJafpQvs2tXgQqbo7/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The deep blue Shenandoah Valley sky made a perfect backdrop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVghIWpdsRgU1lF5-UfKxfRa46auB91QQTGju-Pm_Pi6MyYp2L7IB-4C6-51evvkTUUJynrnQO_aYeE-z3T_SpNy89tntFjKHngDeX0s9t-Oim5zDe9OwAEPfIOBOLgcGnVRWLfEvnf4k/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVghIWpdsRgU1lF5-UfKxfRa46auB91QQTGju-Pm_Pi6MyYp2L7IB-4C6-51evvkTUUJynrnQO_aYeE-z3T_SpNy89tntFjKHngDeX0s9t-Oim5zDe9OwAEPfIOBOLgcGnVRWLfEvnf4k/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU2_j8D7EWpGtHr8lFb-7wJZxM-bkTkSLQiw4s_wLqzL6zhPUXRXdlAoHzsEwt41PfSkevlRPvopNf_5wyOFg0-quX5mc4y7DQsoGcocAZm5zJC7aiNvXSvDyjvujl1GKOaO16ERNf-fl/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU2_j8D7EWpGtHr8lFb-7wJZxM-bkTkSLQiw4s_wLqzL6zhPUXRXdlAoHzsEwt41PfSkevlRPvopNf_5wyOFg0-quX5mc4y7DQsoGcocAZm5zJC7aiNvXSvDyjvujl1GKOaO16ERNf-fl/s400/1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb1vIINczNd8Legnv0KTG94QNkBHyD5Rkq48pfLVwNIyp8ixEpYiwsG7uz3LWRoNFAVei6B7_4iXGbYwmQSRM1StvBR1OJplv3lo9mWSdtNTej9wjKQe-Lajzrjilw7p_DV_caxyF1Z3S/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb1vIINczNd8Legnv0KTG94QNkBHyD5Rkq48pfLVwNIyp8ixEpYiwsG7uz3LWRoNFAVei6B7_4iXGbYwmQSRM1StvBR1OJplv3lo9mWSdtNTej9wjKQe-Lajzrjilw7p_DV_caxyF1Z3S/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDPE3gf-UYdoT24cWJkYEP5IOIE26t4zvqK99dc_ux8GPdDAt7TWthxj2-wwu1dnWwdfYZkzR4PtTNIPOdQtVoLuwCNFKR0kCmUx7IaecWaAk3A73TXZkE2lC3zt8Do3IWvkrW1VpDfeZ/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDPE3gf-UYdoT24cWJkYEP5IOIE26t4zvqK99dc_ux8GPdDAt7TWthxj2-wwu1dnWwdfYZkzR4PtTNIPOdQtVoLuwCNFKR0kCmUx7IaecWaAk3A73TXZkE2lC3zt8Do3IWvkrW1VpDfeZ/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSEh1R4IrXot2EPnMipAUr-NKNiQ7y_5y7MWWgjjoPu-6NEcCSvbip_1wfvVFZ4pbCJpEnwtvarye_bBWaE7lPZr2La2vEfSfOUAfwuys5ff7fgPcY3Z5yBPppRn7lEemb3y60cfolAuM/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSEh1R4IrXot2EPnMipAUr-NKNiQ7y_5y7MWWgjjoPu-6NEcCSvbip_1wfvVFZ4pbCJpEnwtvarye_bBWaE7lPZr2La2vEfSfOUAfwuys5ff7fgPcY3Z5yBPppRn7lEemb3y60cfolAuM/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiA8uQ2Gfh6zyea71VULf2yz_pnaunrt2FBNwIrlbnR1me2xziwTSkp0Mw44NVqyV3954Cw2DUn3Arsbztp0IBj9Fyder50rpc7h01gL6aixbqRtbNz3RGEqi3MzOYaPdJhi2PTZ9PcIwp/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiA8uQ2Gfh6zyea71VULf2yz_pnaunrt2FBNwIrlbnR1me2xziwTSkp0Mw44NVqyV3954Cw2DUn3Arsbztp0IBj9Fyder50rpc7h01gL6aixbqRtbNz3RGEqi3MzOYaPdJhi2PTZ9PcIwp/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunflowers just seem to shout "summer"!</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Sunflowers<br />July 29, 2013

gardening summer in Shenandoah Valley summer vegetables sunflowers western Virginia Giant sunflowers welcome summer to the garden

SWAC Husband is not quite 6' tall and standing amongst the tomato plants. The moon was high overhead when the photo was taken at 9:00 th...

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Early summer morning in the garden

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4RK4Y0XqXMHCtqbEvyUgKOsdxOKmrzBlODCNErnwlTtbnAYYcXFM3cVMpPRXeJfiVUgXCd8_jWeOWLfHEB33x45fuOckW2WRaWaqZNcbOvPPULff3pzHE4uUtAjGBSaRU6ugQiK2wnVx/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4RK4Y0XqXMHCtqbEvyUgKOsdxOKmrzBlODCNErnwlTtbnAYYcXFM3cVMpPRXeJfiVUgXCd8_jWeOWLfHEB33x45fuOckW2WRaWaqZNcbOvPPULff3pzHE4uUtAjGBSaRU6ugQiK2wnVx/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The cool 52-degree air wafted in the open windows this morning as I reached for a sweater to go over my tee shirt. The late July coolness is truly appreciated so after breakfast I loaded the washing machine with towels and sheets to hang out to dry, and then, donning SWAC Husband's wide-brimmed hat, headed to the garden before the summer sun became too uncomfortable.  </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmO8pXaGyrpbgJjNbKGITnmhq7kMs_4L5qTkzHoWHJpYIjuPZYd6p1SZcd2fWSmE5XGnT0w_0Ci5RpwhVhB_jAzJ3EPhvDXL9iBqlgobTlYWQdL-wE9NbCIzJHi_4aBnwQOely3tuvIa5/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmO8pXaGyrpbgJjNbKGITnmhq7kMs_4L5qTkzHoWHJpYIjuPZYd6p1SZcd2fWSmE5XGnT0w_0Ci5RpwhVhB_jAzJ3EPhvDXL9iBqlgobTlYWQdL-wE9NbCIzJHi_4aBnwQOely3tuvIa5/s400/10.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My tennis shoes quickly became wet from the dewy grass as I made my way across the yard to the garden gate. The sun was peeking over the ridge so half the garden was in shade while the other half was already in full sun.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs5Vd1q4Pg3l_bf74lLEBwTih382w3mgGOKsrSkFEm37Wsql7ujFUZFePNdOZjP15T5QYofk_FYi4z-fKjrAlJeNBmn9CJh45v0dcYxDoKGrGzcHcoY92Jyj2EeX2IBuAo-PRgIQo-6Xp/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs5Vd1q4Pg3l_bf74lLEBwTih382w3mgGOKsrSkFEm37Wsql7ujFUZFePNdOZjP15T5QYofk_FYi4z-fKjrAlJeNBmn9CJh45v0dcYxDoKGrGzcHcoY92Jyj2EeX2IBuAo-PRgIQo-6Xp/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrFHVOHVRLHvWw2FmFcFm-Nd0d3vPVx8lHI1FuYjGXyKloCG7LEVychQKXAq_W-0ze1d0g2boEYhVn9b5_vTYGofYH6zfy0NOt5W50hVa3ML0bDzXVOsRNmZafV87GS0Q6hEBqZouA1iC/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrFHVOHVRLHvWw2FmFcFm-Nd0d3vPVx8lHI1FuYjGXyKloCG7LEVychQKXAq_W-0ze1d0g2boEYhVn9b5_vTYGofYH6zfy0NOt5W50hVa3ML0bDzXVOsRNmZafV87GS0Q6hEBqZouA1iC/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOqtsaic7MlWQ33ooYAS43Km7-IhRH9JAG3c4mJuCOVH34nbJwH64kfvhq-w_iOeoktt6WHa9GvPvcptDcHLtXRGvuqKJPfZcS1MLnArQDDAXEFHiYlv5CDh3CC-Ng9VhK9mW8FBCkvgG/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOqtsaic7MlWQ33ooYAS43Km7-IhRH9JAG3c4mJuCOVH34nbJwH64kfvhq-w_iOeoktt6WHa9GvPvcptDcHLtXRGvuqKJPfZcS1MLnArQDDAXEFHiYlv5CDh3CC-Ng9VhK9mW8FBCkvgG/s400/18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have what I would call a salad garden this year. Yukon Gold potatoes were the exception but they are always so good -- and this year they have grown so big -- that they are always a first choice for planting. Otherwise, it's several varieties of tomatoes, several varieties of peppers, cucumbers, and herbs. Colorful flowers add bright splashes of yellow, orange, red, blue, and purple while attracting pollen-collecting bees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienStV1nZxtm6POfZ1Cq9440i6-L9763jTsZBDufyVVeo4KtCYI5TAHsDrqx_2HNhr0qrsuSm-QoGX-yjQFsXm26IemTNRex7W_M4L4dDPzIXNe28CJX4Mw0VLPafVLsnXvH4yjTNt5cmm/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienStV1nZxtm6POfZ1Cq9440i6-L9763jTsZBDufyVVeo4KtCYI5TAHsDrqx_2HNhr0qrsuSm-QoGX-yjQFsXm26IemTNRex7W_M4L4dDPzIXNe28CJX4Mw0VLPafVLsnXvH4yjTNt5cmm/s400/13.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The necessary June bug <i>aka</i> Japanese beetle trap hangs in the corner of the garden although they have not been much of a problem this year. We didn't get the 17-year cicadas either ... only the usual summer variety.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPVVcR2BuQYxWOBfBLNrBfyTYf-UsoAz7ESUhjp4Me4DV8PtwTs3Q6K8apm38Mfp5-MZJyXQad17K2d7aGuHEsuEJFIxusWd-wbMZuIzTMvNrzn0-pmcVtOgFndh2U5GLlJI-apVV5S_h/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPVVcR2BuQYxWOBfBLNrBfyTYf-UsoAz7ESUhjp4Me4DV8PtwTs3Q6K8apm38Mfp5-MZJyXQad17K2d7aGuHEsuEJFIxusWd-wbMZuIzTMvNrzn0-pmcVtOgFndh2U5GLlJI-apVV5S_h/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It's nice to have a shady spot to relax after getting sweaty in the garden. This is my own oasis of quiet under the shade trees.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhXewEmqQkfk13GjxgBoZ4Il2UY49nDxm1CiRhagDEl6STf3OyHxQaH61AComUP8BQpe73d5JfyAgRlNPZu5WHWFCTbbjg0KTVVPhByoQ9iJKf8rtkHaw8a7HLp2xxDEU_bPDV5i4-hqj/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhXewEmqQkfk13GjxgBoZ4Il2UY49nDxm1CiRhagDEl6STf3OyHxQaH61AComUP8BQpe73d5JfyAgRlNPZu5WHWFCTbbjg0KTVVPhByoQ9iJKf8rtkHaw8a7HLp2xxDEU_bPDV5i4-hqj/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the time I finished in the garden and had hung the clothes out, the temperature had risen 20 degrees to a still-comfortable 72.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SQZUoDx9gL78COATRgzStm6zlyFuQR1_sJ2kBYnD8IorRTsHNfUV4mgaBBWTDXQdFomWlU1oMHAo3XX98i8tJEdLLcHpR7DrgBeyWqZ6dyPjlT_VOa3iOLP9IEa1IZ34YkqA8Ed0aE-l/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SQZUoDx9gL78COATRgzStm6zlyFuQR1_sJ2kBYnD8IorRTsHNfUV4mgaBBWTDXQdFomWlU1oMHAo3XX98i8tJEdLLcHpR7DrgBeyWqZ6dyPjlT_VOa3iOLP9IEa1IZ34YkqA8Ed0aE-l/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I've got to say there's something satisfying about growing your own food, and there's something comforting about consuming it and knowing where it came from. We know there are no pesticides on it and how it's been handled and exactly how fresh it is ... from garden to dinner table. Yum.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />July 29, 2013

gardening home summer in the Shenandoah Valley summer vegetables sunflowers western Virginia Early summer morning in the garden

The cool 52-degree air wafted in the open windows this morning as I reached for a sweater to go over my tee shirt. The late July coolness i...

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